Watching festival productions inspired me to become a director. Since then having the independent opinion of an experienced adjudicator has been so helpful, providing me with feedback, ideas and really making me think about all aspects of my productions.

I have learnt so much about the technical side of theatre from doing drama festivals.

One act drama festivals provide a great opportunity to push the boundaries of theatre and try out different things that maybe you wouldn't otherwise be able to do.

Drama Festivals are such a great place to make new contacts and pick up ideas. In conversation at a recent Drama Festival I was offered contact details for a company that could offer loan of props for another play that I’m directing, not a contact that I would have found by any other means.

We set up an independent theatre company specifically to perform at drama festivals so we could do the type of plays we really wanted to tackle.

The local drama festivals provided our youth drama group with performance platforms in some terrific venues that they wouldn't otherwise have had.

It’s always interesting to hear the adjudicator’s comments about your own play and listen to their suggestions of ways to improve it – you may not agree but it’s always worth considering what’s been said. I also find it useful listening to the adjudicator’s comments about other plays and see if they match my own thoughts.

Spelthorne & Runnymede Drama Festival

National Drama Festival Association

The Spelthorne and Runnymede Drama Festival

The Spelthorne & Runnymede Drama Festival is one of the oldest one-act drama festivals in the country and has been going for over 60 years. Originally called the ‘Spelthorne Drama Festival’ we operated as an independent drama festival, but in more recent years we have become affiliated to the National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) and our winning entries are eligible for selection to the British All Winners Festival. Additionally the winner of our new play category is eligible to be put forward to the NDFA one act playwriting competition.

Entrants have the opportunity to perform in the theatre at the Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury on Thames which is a really lovely venue and has the benefit and support of our experienced festival team to support their technical needs. They also receive a professional adjudication from an independent GoDA adjudicator.

Take a look at our new Festival Guide to see how you can become involved.

Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th October 2019

We still have a few spaces available for our 2019 festival!

Please complete and return Part 1 entry forms now, with Part 2 to be submitted by 14th September. The Producer's meeting will be held on 22nd September.

Send your entry forms to, or contact us at enquiries@spelthornerunnymededramafestival.co.uk if you require further details or information. See the 'Forms' tab to download entry forms and for details of entry rules and conditions. Postal entries to be sent c/o Spelthorne & Runnymede Drama Festival at the below address.